Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published Sunday, January 11, 2026, 08:54 / Updated Sunday, January 11, 2026 08:55
PAOKthe team prepared by Răzvan Lucescu, won 3-0 against Panetolikos and is preparing for the “shock” with Olympiakos from the Greek Cup.
The convincing victory in the championship match against Panetolikos (3-0) made Răzvan Lucescu hungry for more! The PAOK coach told Greek journalists that he is looking forward to meeting champions Olympiakos in the quarter-finals of the Greek Cup on Wednesday.
Răzvan Lucescu: “It's one of the matches you know I like to play”
“It's a game that determines our future in the competition and it's one of the games you know I love to play. When the team is facing such duels I don't need to give anyone any extra motivation.
The team wants to play such matches all the time, these matches give a lot. It is a big motivation for me to face Mr. Mendilibar and every match with him is a challenge. We will go there to fight until the end and qualify,” said Răzvan after the victory over Panetolikos.
Răzvan Lucescu: “The second match in a row in which we could have scored 4-5 goals”
About the barely won match, the Romanian technician said that “no victory is easy, you have to fight for all victories. It was a good performance, with intensity, concentration and aggression. I played football with pleasure and did not let the opponent react.
We have to keep this pace and have this determination. The second game in a row where we could have scored 4-5 goals. I don't care how the goals are scored, as long as they are scored. I'm interested in Konstantelias scoring, I'm not interested in how he does it.”
PAOK has returned to 2nd place in the standings and is one point behind Olympiakos
Giannis Konstantelias opened the scoring in the 26th minute, and Georgios Giakoumakis made it 2-0 in extra time of the first act (45+1'). Then the same Konstantelias scored the 3rd goal in the 58th minute, sealing an emotionless victory for PAOK in the first match in 2026 in the championship.
Following this result, PAOK Thessaloniki returned to 2nd place in the Greek championship, with 38 points, one behind the leader Olympiakos. It could be overtaken by AEK Athens, if Craiova's former European opponent wins the away match against Aris.
